MINNEAPOLIS -- Kyrie Irving is playing like a No. 1 overall pick. Derrick Williams is looking like the second-best rookie on his team.

The statement is neither an indictment on Williams' potential nor a reflection on how the Timberwolves view the power forward they selected No. 2 overall behind Irving in the NBA Draft. But as Irving and the Cavaliers face the Timberwolves Friday night in Minneapolis, any talk of rookie-of-the-year showdowns must include Ricky Rubio, who's part point guard and part pop star to a fan base that has been eager for a reason to get excited since Kevin Garnett left town in 2007.

Rubio, 21, and Irving, 19, are the only rookies among the 120 players on the NBA All-Star Game ballot.

"He's a great point guard coming into the NBA, trying to make his mark as well as I am," Irving said. "I'm looking forward to playing against him."

The Cavaliers and Timberwolves represent small markets that know the pain of being spurned by a superstar and are trying to rebuild around young talent. Each has a dynamic rookie point guard. Each has a rookie power forward in Tristan Thompson and Williams, who come off the bench and like the fact their points guards command so much attention.

Rubio, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 draft, opted to remain in Spain before committing to Minnesota this summer. While he's been playing against pros in one of the world's best leagues, some wondered if the playmaker's game would translate to the NBA.

In six games, Rubio is averaging 9.3 points, seven assists and 27-plus minutes backing up Luke Ridnour. Dwyane Wade recently likened the lithe Spaniard to Steve Nash. The combination of Rubio, Williams and All-Star power forward Kevin Love is energizing a franchise that won 17 games last season and no more than 24 since Garnett's departure.

Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Tipoff: Friday, 8 p.m., at the Target Center.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: Each team is coming off a Wednesday night loss. The average margin of defeat for the Timberwolves (2-4) is 3.25 points. Minnesota is averaging 97.8 points, eighth best in the NBA. Kevin Love, who Antawn Jamison considers the game’s best power forward, is fifth among scorers (25.7) and second among rebounders (15.0). Cavaliers rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson are both trying to rebound from poor outings in Toronto.

— Tom Reed

Rubio's long-awaited arrival from Barcelona has come with significant expectations. Although the Timberwolves are 2-4, their combined losses are by 13 points.

"I think there is more pressure on Rubio than anybody in this whole league besides LeBron [James]," Williams told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Thursday. "I feel like Rubio has the most pressure in this league to help this team out, to get more wins than we had this season, and so far he's done a great job."

The Cavaliers hope their rebuild does not take as many seasons as the one in Minneapolis. The development of Irving is critical to the narrative. He is averaging 14.2 points and 5.3 assists per game, and has been very good against every opponent not paying its bills in "loonies" and "toonies." His struggles against the Toronto Raptors aside, Irving pushes the pace, gets to the rim and involves his teammates.

"I just hope he continues to look this comfortable and get better because obviously we saw a glimpse of some of the things he can do with that basketball, and he makes everybody around him better the way he can pass it," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "He draws attention because he has an ability to get to the basket as well. ... He's probably above where he should be at this particular time and he's only going to get better."

Scott said Wednesday the club's decision to select Irving ahead of Williams was a "no-brainer." Again, no slight against the Arizona product, who averages 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds as a backup to Love. The Cavaliers, however, wanted a game-changing point guard who could create his own shot.

"I think [Irving] is very explosive, and he can get to the basket," Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said. "Cleveland is playing a lot better, they're a real balanced team."

While Irving starts and Rubio subs, they both finish. Irving has shown he's not afraid of the big moments, taking and missing a potential game-winning shot at Indiana. The Timberwolves' point guard has been a fixture in fourth quarters. He's shooting just enough -- averaging 6.3 shots per game with a 52.6 field-goal percentage -- to keep defenses honest.

Each has experienced rookie frustrations. Irving was rubber-legged and ineffective Wednesday in his first attempt at playing a second game in as many nights. But both supply hope to franchises in need of it.

Irving said it matters not where a player is drafted, only that he performs once in the league.

"Those numbers basically go out the window," he said. "It's all about how you integrate yourself with your team and how successful you are with your team."

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